2017 was a significant year for eCommerce, as several new
and impressive tweaks were integrated to online firms. And as we are heading to
2018, the technological developments are taking new twists. Below are the top eCommerce
trends for 2018 that will dominate eCommerce businesses in the upcoming year.

Big data and
analytics are more precise

Big data and analytics have changed most business areas, to
help them get the best out of their efforts. Nowadays, most of the actions
taken by consumers can be converted into some sort of data; and that
information will give e-commerce websites more insight into their target group
of people.

Both the parties are poised to analyze customer demand;
bring out extremely personalized user experience and optimize pricing
structures in future. The massive amount of data gives way for actualizing a
diverse digital marketing culture that is related to the specific intentions.

In that accord, online marketers will understand when and
where to channel personalized marketing, and native marketing accordingly. And
in the end, it also enhances the predictions of marketing endeavors.

Mobile usage will be
a force in eCommerce

With the development of technology, most people have a phone
or tablet today. People usually search for goods and services and even buy them
through these devices as opposed to desktop computers.

From surveys, over half of the eCommerce sales are seen to
be actualized over mobile devices; and it is expected to rise exponentially
over the coming years, which will significantly affect the online
establishments.

The surge in the mobile market will prove to be the
trendiest thing next year. According to Goldman Sachs, the world revenue share
that would be held by mobile eCommerce could span to about $626 billion.

Supply chain
management is more subjective

Supply chain management has a considerable impact in the
eCommerce industry, which is quite volatile to deal with. This area is undergoing
major improvements, eventually standing out as one of the potential giants in
the eCommerce trends next year.

Three essential factors fuel these adjustments:

Automation - Automation and process integration assists
firms to dissipate a clear and straightforward transition of commodity and
information flow.

Data sharing - The data, for instance, the details
concerning the availability of stock, information about shipping and consumer
details are availed throughout the supply chain process.

Customer –Centricity - It is essential to understand your
customers' targets, tastes, and traits. Effective supply chain management will
be reliant on the mentioned aspects to improve its efficiency.

Micro-moments
marketing are making headlines

When consumers dig for information about a commodity or
check the instructions, there are some specific touching points, which are
referred to the micro-moments. Designed by Think with Google, the micro-moments
are one of the top eCommerce trends that are going to be dominant in 2018.

Their insatiable need for immediate fulfillment and the
always-on access to data through mobile devices is behind this trait.
Therefore, moments, for instance, I want to do this, but this, go here, and
know this and others can be detected through their smart mobile devices.

For them to satisfy customer needs, eCommerce sellers take
proper actions concerning the customer’s micro movements. This assists to
precisely predict customer actions and behaviors. Huge brands are already laying
their offers, taking advantage of these moments.

Voice assistant
research

Voice assistants have grown significantly regarding
popularity and desirability in the last couple of years. It is undeniable that
people are significantly using voice-activated digital assistants such as Apple
Siri, Google Assistant in their day-to-day activities.

Usually, they trigger them to action by just talking and ask
them to execute some purchase related tasks. Permissive to it, client research
concerning the items they would like to purchase, and even request for the
balances while using the voice assistants.

A survey done recently implied that close to 40% of
millennials are already venturing into voice assistant research when they want
to purchase a commodity. Therefore, it holds water to be a significant thing
the eCommerce world.

In that accord, the mouse and keyboard will be eliminated
slowly while the voice searches make a massive rise to prominence.

Messenger
applications and chat bots supplement firms

The world chatbot market has garnered a staggering 24.3% of CAGR
(Compound Annual Growth Rate); over 45% of users ponder using chatbots as their
first pick, for customer service concerns. Yes, we are in a time where
messengers and chatbots rule!

Chatbots give online businesses an upper hand by directly
interfacing with the entire batch of customers, in a real-time and authentic
manner. Aside from that, online sellers can utilize them as well.

Moreover, their integration capability with messenger
applications helps to avert app fatigue. Therefore, it is undeniable that the
chatbots, integrated with messenger apps will be tremendous players in the
e-commerce in 2018.

Improved UX/UI for
enhanced eCommerce Utility

An eCommerce firm's success relies on how the commodities
are presented and how straightforward it is for clients to understand them. The
two crucial matters can be dealt with by User Interface (UI) and User
Experience design parts.

The UI/UX design has become better over time, and we should
expect some major updates with sounder enhancement. This will significantly
reduce the annoying poor aesthetics and bring out more responsive layouts. In
that respect, we will be prompted to:

Prioritize mobile-responsive design, since mobile gadgets
are turning out to be the primary source of product information and purchases.

Offer navigation links to compare commodities with those of
other firms to bring about competence. Align your business with an eCommerce design agency to
improve your business’ digital assets.

Conclusion

eCommerce trends are continually preparing for an improved
client acquisition and retention process in recent years. Not adjusting by
these trends could prove to be costly. Therefore, online firms should be on
their toes, analyzing the new trends and also developing new creative ideas to
stay ahead of the competition. Be extra keen on eCommerce trends for 2018 and
be ahead of your competitors in the business world.